Vitamin D and Medicare
Written by
Irma Jennings, INHC
Uploaded
June 24
Is Vitamin D covered by Medicare?
Getting my yearly blood work gave me a shock as I was handed a mystery medical bill for my Vitamin D and my other blood work.
For my EU and Australia clients/readers this will not be the case for you.
Medical in the US has it's own language and labyrinth.
I am on Medicare and I naively thought my blood work would have been covered. Guess what?
When I receive my yearly Complete Blood Count blood work, I look over the numbers with my doctor checking if anything is out of range. I didn't consider blood work to be a measure for osteoporosis related risk factors. However, in this two part series on Complete Blood Count (CBC) we learn from Dr. Keith McCormick's experience, working with osteoporosis patients for decades, how a simple blood test can assess osteoporosis related fracture ricks.
Complete Blood Count allows a trained practitioner to assess osteoporosis related fracture risk.
There are many bone-loving foods that get a twinkle light shone on them at this holiday time of year and and my Chocolate Almond Date Boney Treats gets a real twinkle. As Skelly and I were making our holiday menu lists, and checking them twice, Skelly realized that the last month of the year can turn into a food free-for-all.
This can be especially helpful food information for those who are using nutrition as an inroad to building stronger bones.
These featured foods include nuts, root vegetables, leafy greens and fish (when they are of the wild variety) and many are likely to be found at one or more holiday gatherings including, possibly, your own festive meal table. It’s good news to keep in mind, particularly if you are a person who does a lot of cooking, baking and entertaining during this time of year. (more…)
There are times throughout the day when my Skelly holds her breath out of fear, fatigue or stress and that's not good for bone health. There are many ways that we manipulate breath, from holding it or allowing it in/out on a shallow level to taking in tiny gulps when stressed.
“It’s amazing how many folks do not breathe into their lower lungs and belly,” said Dr. Thomas J. Francescott, ND, a naturopath who practices in New York’s upper Hudson Valley. “Breathing has the ability to help stress hormones, vagus nerve (runs from the brain through the face and thorax down to the abdomen, containing parasympathetic fibres) and general relaxation. In terms of bone health, stress plays a big role in bone breakdown. So simple techniques to oxygenate the tissues can help to build bones"
This interview offered by Dr. Richard Eastell Director, The Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, Department of Oncology and Metabolism Faculity of Medicine, Dentistry and Health University of Sheffield, UK was presented by the International Osteoporosis Foundation.
Bone turnover markers. What are they and who needs them?
(more…)Since I started working in the field of bone health there is a common thread that drives a bigger question.
Is the DXA test (which measures bone density) the only way to determine the overall health of your bones?
But what about bone quality?
OSTEOPOROSIS AND BONE QUALITY
Dr. Lani Simpson interviewed the researcher and developer of the Trabecular Bones Score TBS software, Dr. Didier Hans.
They discussed bone density testing, with a special focus on the TBS score.
The recording and notes are now available.
Holy Basil is twice the spice and benefits the body, inside and out.
While basil may conjure images of fresh pesto and caprese salad, holy basil (or, tulsi) swaps the spice cabinet for the medicine cabinet.
My bones love berries because that means summer. Do you adore the summer as I do? Spending time with friends at the beach and getting lots of bone-building sunshine. And eating plenty of brilliant fresh summer berries.
Even though berries are tiny, they pack a powerful punch when it comes to your bones. Their beautiful reds, blues, blacks, and purples tell you that they are full of natural antioxidants. Yet they have such a short shelf-life.
There is a trick keeping your berries mold free.
Sauerkraut: a traditional gift for your gut, your bones and our overall health.
Do you know where sauerkraut originated? You will be surprised.
